anwhile, in Dellheim, where the three dragons channeled their power to hold the seal on the Demon Realm...
Syqora, the Dragon of Destiny, whose power currently reduced the probability of the chains breaking on the seal to absolute zero, suddenly widened his eyes.
Thyron, the Dragon of Creation, whose power had given the seal its indestructibility, noticed imdiately.
"What is it?" she asked.
Syqora said nothing at first, clearly contemplating whether to speak or remain silent.
Thyron sighed in disappointnt. "Oh right, your oath of silence."
She didn’t press further, knowing well the burden Syqora carried. He had sworn an oath to himself long ago not to speak to others about the fate of things he saw woven into the threads of destiny, lest they try to change it and, in making that attempt, worsen the situation for others while still failing to alter a fate that was already written.
After a long mont, Syqora finally spoke.
"Right before this mont," he began slowly, "out of over ten thousand different outcos, there were only three in which we won against Samael."
Thyron’s expression shifted. "And now?" she asked. "How many of those outcos do we still win in?"
Orlien, the Dragon of Mind, remained silent but listened intently.
Syqora fell silent again. He looked deeply troubled as brief visions replayed in his mind; himself and his remaining siblings lying dead in this very place, with gaping wounds torn through their chests.
Then he spoke one word:
"None."
The weight of that single word made the air feel heavy.
Did it an that all their efforts here, holding these chains from breaking, maintaining the seal with everything they had... was going to be for nothing?
Syqora continued in a calm and steady vouce:
"Lilith’s thread beca active again and started weaving into ours. Ever since then, there have been more and more outcos with our inevitable loss. But those three where we won... they still remained."
He paused, then added with finality:
"However, right at this mont, a new change has occurred. And this change has denied us those three outcos entirely."
Orlien then finally spoke;
"If the woman given to Adam is the problem, why not root it out? Alter her course, Syqora. You can do that."
It wasn’t truly a question. Orlien knew Syqora’s power over destiny allowed him to manipulate the fate and redirect paths. If Lilith’s reergence had corrupted their chances of victory, then the logical solution was to remove her from the equation.
Syqora’s expression darkened.
"I already tried," he said. "The mont every outco where we won vanished, I attempted to alter her thread."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Each alteration only creates a different weave, and every one of them still leads to failure. It’s as if she has gained control over ensuring our defeat..."
He trailed off, then his eyes widened in sudden realization.
"The Holy Grail."
Both Thyron and Orlien went still, as they imdiately understood the implication.
It had to be.
But just to make certain, Thyron asked again:
"You think Lilith has the Grail?"
Syqora nodded slowly. "It’s the only explanation," he said. "The Holy Grail is one of the few items in existence capable of challenging even dragon-level power. If Lilith used it to make a wish..."
Orlien exhaled slowly disappointedly. "Then there’s only so much we can do about that."
Syqora also realized one more thing. The plan Aiden had shared with him, the one he and Cronyssia had agreed upon to secure the Holy Grail, would not play out the way they had intended.
And yet, in that sa mont, as his thoughts lingered on Aiden, sothing flickered within Syqora’s mind.
It might have been hope, Or it might have been sothing else altogether.
Syqora then spoke again. "There’s sothing else I haven’t ntioned."
Both Thyron and Orlien said nothing, waiting for him to continue.
"Thyrak’s new vessel, Aiden," Syqora began slowly, "has no threads."
Thyron’s eyes widened imdiately.
"What do you an?" she asked, with disbelief in her voice. "Is that even possible?"
Orlien, though silent, shared in the surprise.
The dragons knew well that everyone had threads woven into the tapestry of fate. Not even angels were exempt from this universal truth.
"He beca a Paradox after Cronyssia chose to transfer her essence into him," Syqora explained. "Which ans he’s the only person whose outcos and paths I cannot see."
Orlien then asked:
"What are you trying to say?"
Syqora exhaled slowly before answering.
"I’m saying that I am uncertain, Orlien. In his unseen outcos, there could be a chance for winning against Samael." He paused, then added honestly, "It could also an there’s none at all."
Though he spoke cautiously, deep down, Syqora held hope for that chance at victory.
Thyron imdiately spoke up with conviction.
"If our fates have already been decided," she said, "then I’m willing to bet everything on the chance that our brother’s vessel will have a different outco."
With that declaration, no further words were exchanged. The three dragons returned their focus to the seal, whilst continuously pouring everything they had into holding the chains from breaking.
For now, that was all they could do.
——
anwhile, back in Aiden’s Pocket Domain, where fury radiated from him so intensely.
"System, Tell this—what is the point of having all this power if I cannot use it to its fullest extent at the mont it is needed most?"
The system said nothing in response.
And that silence only stoked the fire burning inside him.
"ANSWER !" Aiden roared.
The sheer force of his voice sent shockwaves that shook the Pocket Dinsion.
Finally, a translucent screen appeared before him:
[The System Apologizes To The Host, But This Is Not Within My Control]
"You are a piece of shit!" he yelled back at the screen.
The screen remained for a mont longer, then faded away without another word.
Then suddenly Syra materialized a few paces away, and walked toward him slowly.
She opened her mouth to speak—
"Not now, Syra," Aiden snapped without turning to look at her. "I don’t want to hear any of it."
Syra froze mid-step.
For a mont, she simply stood there, staring at him with sadness in her eyes. Then she lowered her gaze and nodded silently.
She didn’t leave, but Instead moved closer and stood beside him without saying another word.
Aiden said nothing either. Out of frustration, he swung his foot forward and kicked one of the large floating rocks hovering in front of him.
The impact sent the massive stone hurtling through the air across the vast expanse of the Pocket Domain, traveling for what felt like kiloters before disappearing into the distance.
Aiden watched it go, then let out a long breath and ran both hands through his hair in exasperation.
—
So ti passed, and now Aiden sat alone on one of the floating rock platforms near the edge of the domain, staring out into the endless expanse of space.
His anger had cooled sowhat, not gone entirely, but no longer boiling over like it had been earlier.
He heard footsteps approaching from behind but didn’t turn around.
Syra stopped a few paces away from him and spoke gently:
"Are you a lot calr now?"
Aiden turned his head briefly toward her, t her gaze for just a mont, then looked back out toward the empty space again.
"What is it, Syra?" he asked quietly.
His tone wasn’t as harsh as before, there was still a little edge of irritation lingering beneath his words, but it was softer now. Tired, even.
Syra stepped closer and sat down beside him on the edge of the platform, letting her legs dangle over the side as she gazed out at the sa view he was watching.
"For starters," she began, "you’re bloody due for a rank-up."
"Hmm?" Aiden muttered, and with a thought, he summoned his notification screens.
Several translucent panels materialized before him in rapid succession:
The first few displayed various copied divine magic techniques from lesser gods and high gods he’d fought during his ti in Eden.
Another screen showed sothing labeled as [Special Gift Reward].
Another screen appeared, listing his most recent level gains. Seven levels had co from defeating Jorus, followed by another seven earned shortly afterward, after his departure from Eden.
And finally... there it was:
[You Are Due For A Rank Up To Dragon Heir]
Aiden sighed heavily and shook his head.
"I’ve been too mad to even look at any of this," he admitted.
Syra smiled but said nothing, she simply waited beside him patiently.
After another mont passed, Aiden spoke again, this ti addressing the system directly:
"I’m unsure if you have emotions, System," Aiden began, "but I apologize for earlier."
A new screen appeared almost imdiately:
[No, Host. I Do Not Carry Emotions]
[However, I know that your frustration is understandable, which is why you will be granted additional 5 Level Ups After You Rank Up To Dragon Heir]
Aiden’s eyes widened a bit in surprise at that unexpected gesture from the system.
Syra laughed softly beside him, then said teasingly:
"No fair, System! You never gave free level-ups!"
Another screen appeared:
[I apologize, forr host. But we are in perilous tis, and the current host needs to reach his fullest potential as fast as possible]
[We cannot afford to fail]
Aiden smiled at that, almost chuckled even.
"Thank you," he said.
Even if the system claid not to possess emotions beyond its function alone, It still felt right sohow to express gratitude anyway.
[You’re Welco, Host]
[Now Shall I Begin Your Rank Up To Dragon Heir?]
Aiden took one last deep breath and steadied himself. The frustration he felt was mostly gone, leaving only a new determination.
He nodded, and said.
"At once."
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